A GWENT factory that employed disabled people shut for the last time yesterday.

Workers went home from the Abertillery branch of Remploy after the UK government shut it and many other factories across Britain.

A total of 21 people worked at the Abertillery site. Their GMB union rep, Mandy Webb, said the employees were devastated.

“We don’t know where we go from here. Obviously, Jobseekers’ Allowance is the first place,” she said. “We don’t really know what’s going to happen with our future.”

Remploy worker Dean Webley, 45, from Abertillery, who has epilepsy, said his manger, who was also losing his job, had been “crying his eyes out.

“It’s an emotional day for me. I’m single, I’ve got a mortgage , I’m struggling to pay that off.

“They have done nothing for us: no jobs or anything after it.”

Paul York, 44, who had worked for Remploy for 19 years and also has epilepsy, said the closure was “totally disgusting”.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to get another job because of my disability.”

The UK government says money from the disability employment budget should be reinvested into schemes to help disabled people find work.

It has said that workers will receive a package of support and guidance to make the move from Remploy to other jobs.

Another Gwent site – Croespenmaen – which employs 44 people is still open. Workers are waiting to hear if a bid to buy the site will be accepted.